my emotion is my work

27th Design [accidental video/audio]

2012-01-08T07:55:39Z

[There's a clatter as the device falls to the ground, showing the morning light through the windows of passionné. As Cinna picks it up, you can see the various racks, ready for customers, and in the background, you can hear the gurgle and hiss of the morning crowd filtering into cafe satiné.

You can hear him chuckle as he realizes that the device clicked on.]

Well, since you can all see we're open this morning, I'll invite you down. I'll even make you a bargain, come by sometime today and with every purchase, I'll give you a discount at the salon.

[ooc: open action at the shop, the cafe or the salon, or feel free to chat via voice.]

26th Design [text]

2011-12-08T04:46:14Z

I ask only two things.
Let them all survive.
Let her be happy.

[ooc: He has no idea this has posted.]

25th Design [voice]

2011-12-02T02:34:43Z

Well, that was a... rather bracing month.

I'm certain that most of you already knew about Ms. Angela Montenegro's return to her home, I've taken care of her things, packed what I could, but if there is anything anyone would like before I donate the remaining items to the Welcome Center, please, let me know.

In the hopes that this holiday season is a pleasant one, my businesses, passionné, salon lustré and even cafe satiné will be having weekly specials through the end of the year. Feel free to come by and see what's available.

[ooc: Off hiatus and slowly getting back to things. Assume that Cinna was so broken by his recent losses that he's been buried in work and hardly going out. He's now pretending that everything's okay. HE LIES.]

24th Design [text/action]

2011-10-05T00:50:24Z

Peeta Mellark, Finnick Odair and Katniss Everdeen have returned to their home. They left with the rest of the guests. I apologize if this causes an inconvenience for anyone.

Angela, Ginny, Finnick left some things for you. As well as for a Mr. Eames and a Ms. Lucy Pevensie.

[After his trip to the Hall and with his message sent, Cinna returns to his office with a large bottle of alcohol. It's already started, and Cinna feels it in the bones and in his head. Under his skin and behind his eyes. He should go home, but he knows there's no one there for him anymore. An empty apartment. Better to stay at the office.

He holds the glass in his hand tightly, shaking at the realization that there's not hing he can do. His part is played. They've gone back to their fates and he can't protect them anymore. The children will fight and bleed and it will all be for what? For a game, for the entertainment of a corrupt government and a lazy, indulged populace.

The throws the glass against the wall, the shatter and crash replacing the scream he won't let himself give as he sinks into his chair.

With a swig from the bottle (who needs a glass anyway) he pulls out a new sketchpad and starts drawing. Sketch after sketch, a single uniform. The Mockingjay. His last hope, a symbol of revolution.]

23rd Design [video]

2011-10-02T21:29:03Z

[The video opens to Cinna, dressed with his usual simple elegance, sitting behind his desk with a smile. He's a little tired, but it's understandable when you hear his announcement.]

Welcome friends new and old. I'd like to extend an invitation to tonight's re-opening of passionné, the City's premier hub of fashion and style. There will be music, refreshments and plenty to see and enjoy and no one will be turned away - so if you're here to stay or just for the weekend, you're welcome to come say hello.

I look forward to seeing you.

[OOC: This is dated to last night and sorry for the lateness! 4th wallers are welcome of all forms, including doubles, although doubles should probably steer clear of the party log as not all muns may be comfortable with it. For all interested in coming to the party, the log is HERE and open. Thanks!]

22nd Design [voice]

2011-09-11T09:06:44Z

[Shortly after midnight, Cinna's voice is something close to a plaintive wail as he finally gets the voice function to work instead of of the video. He is really not having the best weekend.]

I am a Stylist City, I command obscene sums from my clients and back home I am one of the most influential, if not the most influential Stylist in all of Panem!

You can not make all of my clothes disappear! I have a business to run!

[He takes a deep breath.] I realize it's late, but Katniss, Peeta, I'll be staying in the office all day behind closed doors.

No visitors.

[ooc: Since Cinna's entire business is clothing, everything at passione - all clothing, male and female that could fit Cinna has disappeared. Also, anything he tries to alter will disappear from his fingers. Black Bars, today, ladies and gentlemen and he is NOT happy about it.]

21st Design [text]

2011-08-30T11:50:10Z

ATTENTION CITIZENS

Back home, around this time of year, the various Stylists of the Capitol would start previewing their fall and winter lines. While I don't think this City has any such formal method for those of us in the business, nevertheless I feel that I should keep to tradition.

So next month, passionné will be closing for a week and at the end of that week, we will be hosting a fall fashion exhibition and I'd like to invite the entire City to join us in celebration.

To that end, I am looking for caterers, musicians, and artisans of all kinds who would like to join in the celebration, exhibiting their talents and wares for the evening.

If you are interested, you can reply here or in person at passionné.

[ooc: The following are all voice messages, all replies will be voice.]

[Private to Ginny]

I'm going to need a little magical assistance for this, as well as just your personal attendance. Are you interested?

[Private to passionné employees]

This will entail quite a bit of work on all our parts, if any of you have friends or acquaintances that are needing employment, I'll be hiring extra help. And of course, anyone who performs well might be kept on past the event. Fall and winter are always busy seasons in fashion.

[Private to the Games crew]
[He's faking a serious voice.] I need models, you're all drafted. [He pauses for effect before letting out a light chuckle.]

But in all seriousness, if you really have something better to do, or would rather work behind the scenes, I can find others. I'd prefer my favorite models, but I won't insist.

[Private to Angela]

Is it too early to ask you to be my date for the evening? And perhaps model something special?

20th Design [voice]

2011-08-11T10:27:06Z

Please tell me that I'm not the only one that thinks the silver hair of a unicorn gathered under the full moon is a little much to pay for one's morning coffee?

...and as an aside, passionné, cafe satiné, and salon lustré will be closed until my staff stops insisting that Laszlo Jamf's glasses are the going rate for a trim. All staff will be paid a partial day's wages, assuming they don't actually find, what was it... ah, yes, the golden egg of a goose for their morning pastry.

What sort of curse is this, anyway?

19th Design [video]

2011-06-18T20:18:59Z

[Have a nice, interior shot of a very full passionné and a swivel to a very happy Cinna, standing on the stairs to the second floor.]

Well, I'll certainly say this is a nice way to cap off that week. Full house all around, my reputation must precede me.

If there's anyone here that would like to say hello, I'll be here at the shop, come on by.

[ooc: Anything goes, just don't tell him he's supposed to be played by Lenny Kravtiz.]

18th Design [video]

2011-06-05T18:34:49Z

[Welcome to the falling and spinning image of Cinna's office and workroom. Finally spinning to a stop on the ground, you're in time to see a dress form fall to the ground. The dress on it is half-done, a few ribbons and scraps of fabric hanging off, which might explain (or not) why the dress is suddenly pounced on by Cinna, who is already covered by a number of ribbons and bits of string. With a hand he starts batting and pulling at the flapping bits of fabric, laughing as they move and unravel. Those who know him will notice that he's rarely seemed so... gleeful. It seems acting like a cat suits him a bit.

In the background, there's another crash and Cinna's head pops up, turning to see a large spool of iridescent thread rolling by, followed by an equally happy and giggling Katniss. She, too, seems to be enjoying herself quite a bit. He watches her for a moment, maybe two, twitching a little before he gets up with a burst of energy to chase after them both.]

Katniss! Share! I want that one, it's shiny! Stop! I want to play with that one!

[They both disappear off-screen and there's another crash, followed by a playful hiss. The sound of two people laughing and wrestling follows, and then the spool rolls back the other way across the camera's view. Another beat and now both Katniss and Cinna scramble over the ground after it, crashing into the dress form and knocking into the camera again, turning it off.]

[ooc: Never leave cats in fabric stores or shops, kids, bad things happen.]

17th Design [voice/video]

2011-04-29T19:41:19Z

To all of those invited to the private tours of passionné today, I have to apologize in advance. You are still more than welcome to come by, but I warn you that everything of value has been covered to protect it from my more recent... acquisitions. And speaking of, does anyone know what this one is?

[The camera clicks on for a moment to show a Resplendant Quetzal perched on his arm.]

I recognize the others, but this one is a mystery to me.

[In the background, you can also see three peacocks. All of them are tethered to Cinna's wrist by fine silver chains.

Suddenly the device is dropped and when it stops bouncing and spinning, you can look up to see Cinna batting at his head.]

That is my ear you buzzing little menace, not a flower!

[Stopping, he sinks back into his office chair and as he reaches for the device on the floor, you can see a tiny pair of hummingbirds, their needle-like beaks poking at Cinna's head, probably wondering where all of their delicious nectar had gotten to. They too are tethered, the chains so thin as to almost be invisible, but they glint in the afternoon light coming in the office.

Rubbing the side of his face, he sighs before he speaks.]

As I said, you can still come, just... advising you of the situation.

[He turns the camera off.]

16th Design [curse post]

2011-04-06T02:10:13Z

Cinna
Designer of a revolution.
Visionary and friend.

He gave life to the fire that burned within us all.

15th Design [accidental video]

2011-03-07T00:39:46Z

[Here's Cinna, standing outside, next to your typical covered wagon. He's in, gasp, common clothing and a big floppy hat which is currently held in his hand as he scratches his head.]

Why won't it move forward?

[He kicks the wheel and the entire wagon leans.]

...That wasn't supposed to happen was it?

[ooc: Cinna is a banker, which means rich, but skill-less. Oops. Good luck fixing that axle, right? Party members include Billy and possibly Rue. Anyone else care to join?]

14th Design [accidental video]

2011-02-19T11:19:05Z

[The camera clicks on into a semi-dark bedroom. The early morning sun shines weakly through curtains and blinds to show a bed, covers all askew. An alarm goes off and the covers move as whoever is underneath them starts to slide out of bed...

...and falls to the floor with a surprised bark.

From the far edge of the bed, the head of adog and blinks a few times. A paw is clumsily set on top of the covers and he looks at it, eyes wide.

With the alarm still going off in the distance, you can just hear a soft whine as the dog looks at his paw again, and then over to the alarm clock.

It's going to be a very long day.]

[ooc: We're just going to assume that all three of the dog icons are of the same dog, mmmkay? They're close matches but not perfect. Today Cinna is an Italian Greyhound which is like a "toy" version of a normal greyhound. He's about 20 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs about 18lbs.

Apartment-mates can probably hear the alarm (if they're not cursed themselves) and action for them is welcome. Heck, if anyone wants to action something out he will be walking around the City later in the day. Just because he's a dog doesn't mean he can't go check on construction at the shop. Anyone else will have to be video.

Also, I'll tag when I get back this afternoon, I just wanted to get this up now.]

13th Design [voice]

2011-02-08T03:57:12Z

Alright, citizens. I know this is absolutely going to break your heart, but my shop will be closing for awhile while I inventory and prepare to move my shop to its new location.

But fret not, when the shop re-opens in a month or thereabouts, we'll be having a celebration of all the wondrous fashion to be found in the City. I invite anyone who has a particular sense of fashion, traditional garb from your home, fantastical designs of your own creation, to come onstage and how your pride and your talent. For those who have the creativity, but not the skill or the supplies, I have a new workshop that has, and will be, hiring local workers who can help bring your designs to life.

When I have a final completion date from my contractors, I'll be able give a more exact date, but I am aiming for middle to late next month.

And speaking of my new business venture, I'm happy to say that I'll finally be able to be a full-service stylist as I was back home, combining my talents in clothing, accessories, hair and make-up into what I hope will become a premier destination for my fellow citizens.

But, as wonderful as I can be, I'm unable to do this alone, so I am looking for some talented employees, in sales, garment construction, hair styling, as well as business management - because while I can sculpt the summer wind into a lady's tresses with glee, balancing ledgers and setting schedules bores me to tears.

Also, anyone with experience in the, what was it called... barista! That's it, the barista business - you would be greatly appreciated as the salon I've acquired came with a fully-stocked coffee shop. A nice bonus, because who wouldn't like a lovely cup of tea or a nice latte while trying on shoes or having your hair done?

And now I've said quite enough, so I'll leave you be.

Thank you and have a lovely evening.

[Private to Ariadne and Angela]

Ladies, I want to thank you both again for your assistance with this venture. I do hope I don't become more of a hindrance than a help as you work with me on this.

12th Design [accidental voice]

2011-01-29T04:36:08Z

No, no, no... The entrance needs to split the salon and the shop proper, the space needs to be open, inviting, calming. No narrow entrance hallways.

What about the buzzer?

There will be no buzzer.

So, buddy, how about we do this? Leave the separate doors, an' the walls, and just make a bunch of interior doors between the two.

Have you listened to one word I've said? It is an... immersion experience, surrounded by beauty, transformed by it. Yes, there has to be distinct areas, but distinct doesn't mean closed off and cavernous.

So... we gotta match the decor between the two?

...yes. We will be redecorating everything. Perhaps we should discuss the lighting or audio systems.

There's gonna be sound?

....

[ooc: Dated to this afternoon. Cinna has no idea this is being broadcast. He HATES contractors.]

11th Design [voice]

2011-01-14T04:05:13Z

Despite the rather troubling events happening, business, apparently, marches on. In this case, mine. I've discovered that I'm it a bit of a bind; my success, while to be expected, has had three, well mostly two, rather unfortunate results.

Firstly, I have more than enough commissions to keep me busy for the next several months, and yet I'd like to take on more, expand my repertoire, and that necessitates hiring more help to assist in production which I don't currently have enough currency to hire.

Secondly, I need more space, even if I don't expand, my current workshop is getting too small for my purposes. Again, my lack of currency is an obstacle.

So despite my inclination to remain sole owner, I'm looking for investors who, for a respectable investment, will be given a percentage of ownership in my works.

If you happen to have any interest, please let me know, I have some ideas for my eventual expansion that I would be more than happy to share with you.

10th Design [accidental voice/video]

2010-12-08T00:18:44Z

[This is Cinna.
This is Cinna reading the network. It's silent as the realization finally dawns on him.
This is Cinna dropping the network device and the sound of his receding footsteps and a shout, barely heard before the door slams shut.]

Rue? Finnick!

[The device remains silent before it times out, only to click on again, much later. This time you can see Cinna, sitting in his living room, deceptively calm.]

Greetings, City. If I may, a moment of your time.

It's come to my attention that a rather peculiar Game is being played today. It's a popular one back home, and I simply can't resist playing along so tell me, should one want to sponsor one of our noble and talented Tributes, who should I talk to?

And if you're interested in sponsoring anyone, I have several suggestions I'd like to make, you won't be sorry.

After all, some bets never change.

[ooc: Back-dated to early this morning, just after Katniss' post. Also, he responses might be strange and vague - he's going into Capitol mode and you just don't scream about rescuing people in public at times like these.]

9th Design [voice]

2010-12-03T22:44:23Z

[The audio opens to the ending of a nice rendition of O, Holy Night. Cinna's voice speaks clearly.]

It's all very lovely for the most part, but it seems rather repetitive. [As he's speaking, however, the song changes to, well, something else. So far, only the instrumental introduction is heard.]

Different arrangements, but they're all the same songs. So I ask, is it common in your worlds to listen to all of them over and over, like today, or is this simply the City's attempt at driving us mad?

[He pauses for a little while to listen, you may even catch him humming a little as he picks up the basic melody.] This one seems nice, but... some of them are a little strange, you have to admit. For example, why someone would sing about the death of their Grandmother at the hooves of... a... [The vocals have kicked in. City, have some chipmunks. There's silence on Cinna's end until...]

...you must be joking. Not even the Capitol would listen to that.

[ooc: Replies may be delayed a little.]

8th Design [accidental voice]

2010-11-28T00:16:58Z

[There's the sound of slight chaos as Cinna's voice, slightly strained, comes over the Network.]

No, madam, I assure you it isn't ninety, eighty, seventy, sixty, fifty, forty, thirty, twenty, ten or even five percent off. And it most certainly isn't two for one.

Don't you know what day this is?

I believe it's Saturday, madam.

You're a right perfect Grinch aren't you?

Madam, I-

A horrible, terrible, awful, anti-Christmas, Grinch!

Madam, please, calm-

[SMACK!] GRINCH!

[There's the sound of someone stomping off and a pause before Cinna speaks again. You can almost hear him rubbing his wounded cheek.]

What kind of curse is this?

[ooc: Cinna, completely uncursed has been overrun today with people asking about sales, deals and giveaways and he is CONFUSED. Also, I couldn't resist - what hiatus?]

7th Design [accidental video/voice]

2010-11-20T18:53:59Z

[The video opens on Cinna, sitting on the train. The device is laying on the seat across from him so the view is a little cock-eyed, but you can clearly see him sitting on the seat, hand-stitching the hem of a skirt and trying very hard not to look out the window.

Every so often the picture goes to static or jumps and rolls as the signal waxes and wanes in strength.

Finally, he finishes his hem, ties off his thread, and pulling the scissors from his bag, he snips the end. Once finished, you can see him place his instruments back in their proper places - needle in a magnetic case, spool of thread in a plastic one, the scissors slipped into a case of their own all with their own places inside his bag. Meticulous, thy name is Cinna. The skirt is draped over the seat.

It's Rue-sized, for those who would notice those things, and embroidered with yellow flowers.

The picture jumps again, this time blacking out for a moment, the sound of the train continuing on in the darkness. With a hiss of static, the picture's back and Cinna can be seen, but not his face as she's standing, arms up like he's reaching for something. When he comes into view the bag is gone, presumably neatly stowed on the rack above his head.

He pauses, eyes tranfixed on the view for a moment as the picture rolls and words can barely be heard.]

That's Twelve.

[It takes a moment for him to tear his eyes away and when he does, they fall on the network device, it's blinking red light letting him know he's been seen. His eyes roll with the picture as he reaches out and picks it up, his expression solemn, but slightly amused.]

At least this saves me the call I was going to make. Yes, I'm on the tr--n, and no, the --rse didn't end at midni--t. But I do want to say th-s - if you're not on the train already, don't get --. I've seen new people arri-- and they become as tra---d as the rest of us.

Katniss and Finn--k, I'm talking to you.

[He sighs, as if he knows his words will fall on mostly deaf ears. Rubbing his eyes he pauses like he's trying to think of something to say. After a moment his eyebrows raise and he speaks again, shifting in view of the camera. He pulls up his train ticket, a little worn from being in his pocket since yesterday.]

You know, I think the man check--- these is the same one that I've seen at the H--l of the Missing? I've gone there once or --ice to look at the paint--s - different fash----, different eras. As depressing as it --, there's some ---y good portraiture in there. [He pauses again.]

Ah, well. Katniss? Can you check on m- sh-p --d ma-- s-re....

[The video goes entirely to static, the audio mostly a mess. What can be heard is the snippty-clack of scissors, opening and closing swiftly, over and over and over again, before a hollow thud send the picture to black and the audio to silent.

Time clicks on, one minute, then another, before a hazy image appears, the device shooting from the floor. On the seat to the left of the view, one can see Cinna's bag, closed and neatly placed on the seat. The skirt he was working on is neatly folded and next to it. But as the static makes the picture shake, it's not the bag or the skirt that will hold anyone's attention.

It's Cinna, slumped on the ground in a sitting position under the window with his own scissors protruding from his chest, crimson blood wet and dripping down his shirt. His breath hitches once, twice, and he looks down at the hand in his lap, ticket still in his fingers, but now burnt and singed. His chest rises, but when it falls, it doesn't rise again and his eyes, still open, loose focus.]

[ooc: Backdated to high noon. Anyone is free to action or otherwise spam this post.]

6th Design [accidental video]

2010-10-23T19:31:07Z

[The video opens, angled strangely as if the video is accidental. Only half a face is visible - pale, sunken eyes, and a stubble'd cheek. The normally put-together Cinna looks positively taken apart. A hand comes into view, rubbing over his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose as he begins to speak in a bitter tone.]

Bravo, City. Not even the Capitol could have conceived that little torture - after all, who better to harm us than ourselves? Who knows better what fears we harbor, sins we cover-up.

Well played. Really, well played.

[The feed ends with an angry click.]

[He sits at the kitchen table, cradling his coffee in one hand as the other casually tosses the device to the side. Taking a sip, he winces, even after several cups he's not used to the flavor without sugar and cream, but today... there's nothing comforting about today so the coffee's as black as his mood. From the moment he woke up, before the sun had even hit the horizon, he'd been sitting in this chair, contemplating his own... foolishness.

How could he ever have believed he had a grasp on what happened to those children in the arena? How could he ever have thought he could help? It was arrogance to the nth degree to have ever thought he understood. To have thought that he could help erase the scars. He should have realized sooner how deep they go.

Now with the sun several hours up, he's still hardly moved, looking out the window, more determined than ever to see the Capitol fall.

5th Design [video]

2010-10-07T20:25:29Z

[The video opens, scanning over a worktable filled with sketches for costumes the likes of which you've never seen before. There's scraps of chemical formulas, papers with measurements, and partially pieced together garments. As Cinna speaks, he'll be showing off his work both completed garments and sketches.]

City, you need help. I've seen your costumes, and your so-called fancier fare and frankly you wouldn't last a week in the more fashionable districts of the Capitol. Luckily, you've been blessed with the arrival of a man that solve all of your problems. The best designer this City or the Capitol has ever seen, and quite the dashing figure on his own - if I do say so myself - the one, the only, the incomparable....

Me. [He beams, mugging for the camera like its a Games interview and taking a pose, perched on the edge of a table.]

And with the looming holiday, now is the best time to make use of my considerable talent and expertise. What's your pleasure, City? [He pulls a few sketches and starts showing them to the camera.] Elaborate and fantastical? A look back to the past? Perhaps even for the children?

Do you hail from a unique culture?

I can and have done it all, my friends, and there's no one in the City that can do it better. [He pulls a piece of fabric and wraps it around his fingers.] I'll make you shine like a star - [He lights a match and the fabric burns... without any damage to the hand it's in!]] - and set you to burn brighter than any flame.

However, as brilliant as I am, my time is finite. [He shakes his fingers and the fabric, unscathed, goes out as he drops it to the floor.] Genius like this has to sleep sometime, you know. So get your orders in early, you really shouldn't miss out on an opportunity like this.

[He leans forward and the public feed goes dark.]

[Private feed to Rosella]

Rosella, I apologize for the delay, but you can't rush genius. [The camera shakes as it turns to reveal three dresses.(ooc: the train on the second dress only brushes the ground and the belt has several bags attached to it.)]

I think the first two will serve you well wandering around. I've made some additional belts and a couple of bags you can look at for your tools and whatever you'd like to carry. [He pulls the goggles off the first dress.] These are rather useful, the material is completely is scratch-resistant and almost completely shatter-proof. The tint adjust to the ambient light as well.

[He places them back on the mannequin, moving to the second, pointing out the features.] The second dress has a number of loops and hooks on the belt for the easy addition and removing of pouches, even weapons if you're so inclined. The gloves are made of a custom fabric that is extremely insulating, but breathes like summer linen. The boots can be remade flat, but I thought the heels might be a nice touch.

As for this last piece, when I met you I couldn't resist making you something a little more... elegant. This soft leather bodice is removable - [He deftly unfastens the covering and sets it aside, revealing a simplek off-the-shoulder silk bodice that flows seamlessly into the gold beaded skirt.] - and not necessary to complete the outfit, but I daresay it's lovely nonetheless.

You're welcome to come get it at your leisure.

[End feed]

4th Design [voice/action]

2010-09-16T03:02:53Z

[Cinna's normally genial tone seems a bit thin today as he delivers the following announcements.]

Cast for the current production, please see me as soon as possible so we can do fittings. Additionally, Miss Rosella, if you'd like to stop by I have some samples for you to look over.

[Action]

[Throughout most of the day, when he's not with customers he's been sitting silently in the back, threading the day's fortune through his fingers. The cookie remains crumbled on the counter, uneaten. Should you stop by, you may find him lost in thought and have to call his name a few times to get an answer.]

3rd Design [voice]

2010-08-26T04:55:28Z

[There's a very dry and quite possibly bored sounding voice on the line.]

Attention Westerberg High Home Economics students.

Let's aim high, shall we? Or at least higher than your normal, run-of-the-mill examples of mediocrity. Your sewing samples are due at the end of the week, remember - you fingers are not fabric, kindly keep them out of the way of the needles. The school nurse and I appreciate it.

Performers in this semester's theatrical production, you have three days to come by my office for measurements. My free period is after last lunch. That's three days, not "When I feel like it."

Additionally, Tarrant has decided to start a Sewing Club, something I think we all could benefit from judging from the fashions I witnessed these first few days. Perhaps this is the year one of you will show some initiative and actually design original prom wear instead of settling for some off-the-rack taffeta disaster.

...or perhaps not.